About

Illusory Script is a TTRPG blog, a hub for inspiration and advice for running games, and a publisher of roleplaying game supplements. We launched in 2021 to share articles which inspire, improve, and inform your D&D game.

Who Are We?

Marius Hofbauer writes the weekly articles for illusoryscript.com. When he is not running a D&D game, he is probably writing or thinking about the game.

Alain Dunphy joined Illusory Script in 2024 for the design and publication of Secrets of the Betrayer on the DMsGuild. Since then, he and Marius are collaborating on numerous other publication projects.

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Reflections on Designing Secrets of the BetrayerFebruary 15, 2025
Now a Bestseller on DMsGuild! Our adventure Secrets of the Betrayer just hit Copper Bestseller status on DMsGuild! This adventure fixes your Vecna: Eve of Ruin campaign, and it stands out because of its non-linear story, deep connections with the lore of Kas and Vecna, and an epic boss fight. With the Copper milestone reached, …
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Running Games with Absent PlayersFebruary 8, 2025
The Game Must Go On One of the biggest obstacles for any long-running RPG campaign is scheduling. I’ve written before about the importance of scheduling even if we’re not sure what we’re actually going to run. But there’s another issue which can stop us from playing: absent players. If we wait for every player to …
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Planegea Campaign Outline: WinterwalkFebruary 1, 2025
Welcome to Planegea Have you ever wanted to experience a young, restless world in which dinosaurs roam the plains, clans struggle for survival by building huge, welcoming clanfires, and prehistoric evils lurk in forbidden caves, forests, and mountains? If so, Planegea—a Stone Age campaign setting by Atlas Games—might be the perfect setting for your next …
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How to Prepare and Run a One-ShotJanuary 25, 2025
One-shots are a great way to tell self-contained stories in a single session, perfect for new players, trying out experimental ideas, or just having fun without the long-term commitment of a campaign. (And even in a long-term campaign, we can think of each session as a one-shot.) Here are some tips to help you prepare and …
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Tournament / Arena Encounter TemplateJanuary 12, 2025
A tournament or arena encounter can create a welcome change of pace in our games. They offer a structured series of varied challenges where characters can shine through skill, ingenuity, and flair, all while competing for a coveted prize. Whether used as filler sessions or part of the main story, tournaments can be tailored to …
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The Inner Game of RPGsJanuary 4, 2025
As game masters, we often strive for control—crafting intricate plots, anticipating player decisions, and steering the game towards planned outcomes. But what if we could let go of that conscious control and trust our subconscious instead? This is the lesson at the heart of The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey, a book that …
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